April 8, 2010, Lonita June Sillings Priest responded to the following questions to give us her biography, as follows:
Where do you live now?
My husband Jim and I have lived in Texas City since 1974 - I think that totals 36 of the 37 years we have been married. Same address! We've made it through numerous hurricanes, renovations, returning kids, marriages/divorces, births and deaths! We are still intact.......
Where else have you lived in the past 50 years?
In 1962-63 timeframe, I lived in San Clemente, California while working at Camp Pendleton Marine Base for the United States Navy. I worked for civil service in the ammunitions reclamation department. Did you know that Uncle Sam actually keeps tally on unspent bullets?????
I also spent time in Dallas and Houston, of course, before moving to Texas City.
Who do you consider “family”, and what is their status? (Parents? Siblings? Spouse? Children? Grandchildren? Great-grandchildren? Nieces and Nephews? etc.)
In 1973 I married Jim Priest and gained a family of four kids! Three boys, one girl. Not having any of my own, it was a big challenge on my part. But a wonderful and rewarding challenge I might add. All the kids are married and have blessed us with 6 grandsons, 1 grand daughter, and one due in November. They in turn have given us 5 great grand daughters, 1 great grandson, and one on the way!
By the time I turned 32, both of my parents were deceased. So my brother, Rodney, and I spent all our adult lives leaning on one another. He passed away in 2001 at the age of 55.
Tell us a something about any of the following:
Occupation(s)?
I retired from NASA after 30 years of service. I started working there on the Apollo Program in 1963 before they moved to the current location in Clear Lake. During my tenure I worked for all the original astronauts at one time or another, as well as for the Center Director. I was present at most all the Apollo launches at KSC.
I was a member of the special 201 fire investigation at the Cape, and I worked on special assignment at the Lunar Receiving Lab when the first moon rocks were returned to Earth. It was a wonderful experience and I remain very proud to have been a part of the US Space Program! And take my word for it, Buzz Aldrin could fly much better than he can dance! But a perfect gentleman all the time!
Hobbies?
I love to crochet! My family has more afghans/tablecloths than I care to count! I currently head up a group of ladies who crochet lap throws for nursing home residents. We have also furnished throws to all the patients at the VA hospital in Houston. The organization is called "Love Stitchers" and we have groups throughout Texas. Would anyone like to join us???????
I love to work in the yard provided the weather is not too hot! Old age does demand some comforts!
I also collect wall pockets! Sometimes called wall vases. I have 100+ and am running out of room for them. My collection consists of ones I have collected while in other countries, found at antique stores, or received as gifts.
In celebration of 2000, I put together a family time capsule that will be opened in 2050. I gave each family member a plastic shoe box in which they could put anything they wanted. In mine I included a wall pocket with a note that if any of my surviving grandkids had a match to it, they would be entitled to a special treat. I'd love to be a fly on the wall when the time capsule is opened!
Travels?
Jim and I love to travel in our 5th-wheel. We have covered almost every state. We currently have a trip planned for Nebraska, the Dakotas, Michigan and Minnesota the week after our Milby reunion! We have cruised all the Caribbean on several occasions, parts of South America, Panama, Mexico and Alaska. I have also spent time in Germany and England with a friend of mine who still has family there. It was great to see a country through the eyes of a native!
What else do you want us to know about you?
I love old stuff! Antiques, music, quaint places, old buildings, and back porch swings!
My kids think I'm crazy because I love to wander through cemeteries reading the names/dates of all those who have walked before us. And every time they experience a problem, I remind them, "it happened to someone while they were headed west in a covered wagon!" People married, babies were born, hearts were broken, and people passed away along the way. It's all been done before!
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Lonita, what a great story you have told to all of us. You have really had an exciting life. Did you know a woman by the name of Ginny McConnell that also work at the Space Center for years. She was a great friend of mine years ago.
See you at the reunion and hopefully will find out more interesting things about your life.
Gladys Payne Bohac
Posted by: Gladys Payne Bohac | April 08, 2010 at 09:13 PM